why you need a lawyer after a small car accident

by Marielle Kovacek 5 min read

You are not legally obligated to hire a lawyer after a car accident. The only reason you need a lawyer after a car accident is if you are being sued or decide to sue the other driver. If you are unsure as to whether you should hire a lawyer, reach out for a consultation.

After a minor car accident you may need a lawyer to prove fault and negligence. Unless fault for the accident is obvious (for example, if you were stopped at a red light and got rear-ended), there's likely to be disagreement over who caused the minor car accident or who is more at fault.

Full Answer

When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?

Mar 04, 2020 · A Slater & Zurz accident attorney will work to assure you receive compensation for all your losses, including past and future medical bills, current lost wages, and lost future income, as well as the pain and suffering you have experienced from the crash injuries.

When to get an attorney for a car accident?

Sep 14, 2021 · 1. Peace of mind. What you need the most after a car accident is peace of mind as you take time to recover and get your life back on track. When you hire a car accident lawyer, you can rest easy knowing an expert is taking care of all the necessary details to have your claim case on track. 2. Help with collecting evidence and proving liability.

What is the best car accident lawyer?

Jan 03, 2020 · You are not legally obligated to hire a lawyer after a car accident. The only reason you need a lawyer after a car accident is if you are being sued or decide to …

How to find the right car accident attorney for You?

Sep 21, 2020 · If you do not file a suit right away, you may lose your chance to recover and claim what is rightfully yours. You will end up paying for the damages and cost that someone else has caused. A car accident lawyer will help you avoid this occurrence.

image

1. There is a Need to Collect Evidence to Prove Liability in the Crash

Collecting evidence about what happened in an accident is crucial to determining if a driver may have been negligent and who is therefore liable for the crash.

2. You Need Someone Skilled at Evaluating Damages and Determining the True Value of Your Injury

Once evidence is collected, it must be evaluated. Attorneys generally have many resources to build a case that the average person does not have. They include hiring medical experts to validate the seriousness of injuries and having accident reconstruction specialists to recreate the accident scene.

3. You Need Someone Who Can Dispute an At-Fault Driver Who Claims They are Not Responsible for the Accident

Sometimes a driver who is at fault in an accident will try to shift the blame and assert that it was not their negligence that caused the crash. A Slater & Zurz attorney will go over the evidence to determine exactly who was at fault. They will build a strong case on your behalf.

4. You Need Someone Knowledgeable About Ohio Law and How Insurance Policies Work

Slater & Zurz attorneys are familiar with Ohio personal injury law, Ohio insurance law and the defenses to negligence that are often presented. They know how to best mitigate these defenses and will file a lawsuit for you if necessary.

5. You Need Someone Knowledgeable about the Settlement Process

Insurance adjusters negotiate insurance settlements on a full-time basis. They fight for the best interests of the insurance company. Your Slater & Zurz attorney has considerable experience as a negotiator so you can obtain the compensation you deserve.

6. You Need Someone Who Can Offer You a Contingency Plan

Many times a personal injury victim has a big fight ahead and that fight will cost a considerable amount of money. Slater & Zurz accident lawyers have the necessary resources to fight your fight for you and they will offer you a “contingency plan” for payment of your legal bills.

Is it worth hiring a car accident lawyer?

Hiring a car accident lawyer can be extremely valuable to your injury claim. These are some of the many benefits to hiring a lawyer and how he or she can help with your claim.

What does an attorney do for insurance?

Your attorney will: Negotiate with the insurance adjuster. Handle all details of your claim for you. Help prepare a written or verbal statement that is carefully crafted to your benefit.

How to get a personal injury case?

Having handled many complex personal injury and auto accident cases, our attorneys have the skills and resources to obtain the evidence needed to build a case on your behalf. This can include: 1 Consulting medical experts to validate the seriousness of your injuries 2 Reconstructing the accident scene 3 Obtaining the accident report

What to do after a car accident?

Although it is always in your best interest to contact a lawyer after a car accident, there are some situations when it is highly recommended, including if: 1 You suffered injuries in the collision 2 Your injuries are permanent or long-lasting 3 Liability is contested 4 The insurance company refuses to pay 5 You have been asked to provide medical records or a statement

How to get an insurance claim?

Having an attorney represent you before the insurance company can have a significant impact on your claim. Your attorney will: 1 Negotiate with the insurance adjuster 2 Handle all details of your claim for you 3 Help prepare a written or verbal statement that is carefully crafted to your benefit 4 Represent your best interests and fight to obtain the compensation you deserve

What are the benefits of hiring a lawyer?

1. Handle the Insurance Company for You. Insurance companies are in the business of making money.

What is the most complicated part of a car accident claim?

Often one of the most complicated parts of a car accident injury claim is proving that another’s negligence caused your injuries. This is an important part of every car accident claim, as individuals harmed by another’s actions have the right to compensation.

Find out whether it would be worth hiring a car accident attorney to review your case

In many cases, you do not need to file a lawsuit after a car accident. If one driver was clearly at fault and nobody has been injured, it is likely that the at-fault insurance company will give compensation without the need to go to court. So, when do you need a lawyer after a car accident?

When Do You Need A Lawyer After A Car Accident?

If you are at fault for an accident and the other driver decides to sue you, you will need a lawyer to defend you.

When Don't You Need A Lawyer After A Car Accident?

If you are at fault for an accident and nobody is suing you, there is no reason to hire a lawyer.

Conclusion: Do You Need A Lawyer After A Car Accident?

You are not legally obligated to hire a lawyer after a car accident. The only reason you need a lawyer after a car accident is if you are being sued or decide to sue the other driver.

What happens if you don't file a lawsuit?

If you do not file a suit right away, you may lose your chance to recover and claim what is rightfully yours. You will end up paying for the damages and cost that someone else has caused. A car accident lawyer will help you avoid this occurrence.

What are the causes of car accidents?

Though against the law, the three main causes of car accidents are reckless driving, drunk driving, and overspeeding. If you’re caught in a car accident, there may be situations where you and the at-fault party can settle it without leading into a lawsuit.

What is the most common form of negligence?

And the most common form of negligence is an automobile accident.

What happens if you are denied a settlement?

But if denied, they can always appeal and fight for your rights. In usual cases, insurance companies offer settlements that is way beyond the fair amount. This is to avoid a lawsuit that could cost them hundreds of bucks. With lawyers at your side, they can tell if the offer is good to be taken or bad to be ignored.

How many cars were involved in car accidents in 2018?

Which in fact, in 2018, about 12 million vehicles were involved in the accident. Though against the law, the three main causes of car accidents are reckless driving, drunk driving, and overspeeding. If you’re caught in a car accident, there may be situations where you and the at-fault party can settle it without leading into a lawsuit.

Do car accidents settle out of court?

As you know, many car accident cases settle out of court. But not every victim needs to get the best compensation amount. It happens due to the non-hiring of professional car accident lawyers. Some people who do not have much knowledge about attorneys choose a newbie. Therefore, you need to sacrifice over negotiation price.

How to make a car accident case stronger?

Your car accident case is strong only with evidence. Therefore you need to gather as much as possible evidence of the accidental place. These can be in the form of pictures, videos, physical evidence, or contact information of eyewitnesses. Do not forget to take pictures of the car damage. Try to give as much as possible information to the lawyer. An attorney will help to make your case stronger, and the attorney will present in court with all the supporting documents.

Do car insurance companies deny claims?

Car insurance companies always try to deny payments or pay for less than the actual cost of insurance. But the attorney knows what information can boost the chances for your case victory. Even the company denies to pay for a claim; the attorney is always ready to fight for the case. Secondly, insurance companies’ objective is to pay as little as possible and as quickly as possible. So to pay you as much as a lawyer always gets ready with extensive research work.

What are the causes of car accidents?

There are many different causes of car accidents. Some of these may include: 1 Distracted driving (i.e., texting while driving, etc.) 2 Drunk driving 3 Bad weather and driving conditions 4 Mechanical failure of car or car parts 5 Disobeying traffic laws 6 Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.)

What are the causes of drunk driving?

Drunk driving. Bad weather and driving conditions. Mechanical failure of car or car parts. Disobeying traffic laws. Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.) Depending on the cause of the accident, either party may or may not be held liable for damages or injuries.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving (i.e., texting while driving, etc.) Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.) Depending on the cause of the accident, either party may or may not be held liable for damages or injuries.

Who is Jose from LegalMatch?

Jose (Jay) is a Senior Staff writer and team Editor for LegalMatch. He has been with LegalMatch since March of 2010. He contributes to the law library section of the company website by writing on a wide range of legal topics.

What is mechanical failure?

Mechanical failure of car or car parts. Disobeying traffic laws. Unpredictable circumstances (such as a falling boulder, etc.) Depending on the cause of the accident, either party may or may not be held liable for damages or injuries.

image